BOROUGH COUNCIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 August 1928, Page 5

BOROUGH COUNCIL

FORTNIGHTLY MEETING. 'PJfie fortnightly meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council was held last evening; present: The Mayor (Mr. J. W. Greenslade), Crs. J. O’Brien, R. J. Williams, T. B. Baty, D. M. Robertson, 4. B. Kent, J. McGinley and G. perotti. An apology was received for the absence of Cr. F. A. Kitchingham, and S. B. White.

Messrs Hannan and Seddou, forwarded on behalf of Mr A. Smith, Greymouth, sub-divisional plan of section 153, Block 39, G. N. R. for the approval of the Council. —Approved. The District Traffic Manager, N.Z. Railways, Christchurch, wrote stating that the matter of shunting in the Vicinity of Mawhera Quay and Tainui Street, was being enquired into. Miss A. F. McCarthy, wrote requesting the Council to re-consider its decision regarding the sub-division of her section in Alexander Street, under the “Hardship Clause.” The Mayor thought if the Works Committee inspected the section they might see a way to grant the request. The by-laws provided for an area of 20 perches. If possible he would like to assist Miss McCarthy in the matter.

Cr. Williams moved that the Works Committee and Borough Engineer inspect the site, and report. Seconded by Cr. Perotti, and carried. The Runanga Borough Council wrote requesting the Council to support its protest against the slipshod method which is being allowed in the laying out of the Rapahoe township. It is

considered that the township should be kept in keeping with a scenic reserve. The Mayor pointed out that the Runangs Borough Council should be supported in its efforts to beautify the Seven Mile. The Runanga people had gone to considerable trouble in improving and beautifying McTaggart Esplanade, and it would be a poor

compliment to them if a nondescript

type of building for camping out and 'week-ending were allowed to be erected. Any building erected should not be an eyesore. He moved that the Council assist and support the Runanga Borough Council’s appeal to the Government.Cr. Kent, in . seconding the motion, pointed out that under the Town Planning scheme, the Runanga Council would have some say as to the kind of buildings to be erected. The Minister of Health, Wellington, advised the Council that he is looking into the matter of providing an office for the Inspector of Health at Greymouth. will mean additional expense. The present arrangement is mpre satisfactory as there is always someone to answer the telephone

ahd receive messages. Borough Council, wrote re- ' garding Hospital and Charitable Aid Board Levies apd management and suggested: (1) Thpt the Government should devise some new method of raising this rate. (2) That every contributing body should have more direct representation on the particular Hospital Board for which the rate is to be levied.. Cr. Kent moved and Cr. O’Brien seconded that the Council support the first suggestion.—Carried. Or. Q’Brien objected to supporting the second clause. He approved of the precept method of representation which was democratic in principle. The method Qt appointments by Local Bodies was not a good one. He instanced the case of the Greymouth Harbour Board where the Greymouth

Borough was represented by a member who had not been in the Borough 1 Council for years and therefore had no touch with the Council’s point of view. Such a position might arise in connection with the Hospital Board. There was a movement on foot to shift the control of hospitals, and to giye facilities for social distinctions, whiph \yas most undesirable. There was a strong suggestion to have single rooms for the rich, while those in less fortunate circumstances had to go into the open wards. The rich should not be allowed in hospitals at all, as they could afford to go to private hospitals for treatment, and should pay accordingly. The idea underlying public hospitals was that they were for 'those who needed expert treatment, but could not afford it. He was opposed to distinctions being made in publip hospitals where all should be tregtph alike. He favoured aiming at making the Consolidated Fund strong enough to bear the financial burden of maintaining hospitals, but a local Board as at present constituted should be the governing body. The Mayor differed from Cr. O’Brien. He thought the Hospital Board should collect its own rate. The Borough Council had very little control over Hospital administration. He thought the Hospital Board should both levy and collect its own rates. He thought that those who were in the position should be made to pay. Many were now taking advantage of the hospital who could afford to pay an outside doctor.

Cr. O’Brien moved and Cr. Kent seconded that no action be taken regarding clause'2.—Carried. ' F. Willoughby, wrote requesting to be advised as to the cost of running a couple of side-shows for two or three weeks in September, and if there were any suitable sections in the main street for same.

The May° r suggested that no action be taßen meantime. The Plunket Society was arranging a Carnival movement, which would be ending next month, and he did not want anything to clash with 'it. This was agreed to. F. J. Johnston, secretary of the Licensed Victuallers’ Association, applied for permission to erect a temporary hparding on the Public Works land in Mawhera Quay. Cr. Williams moved, and' Cr. Baty seconded, that no more hoardings be allowed. Cr. Baty said those responsible would not keep them tidy, and they were an eyesore to the town. Cr. Kent moved, and Cr. Perotti seconded, as an amendment, that the application be referred to the Beautifying Committee, with power to act. The amendment was carried. The Mayor suggested that the Beautifying Committee be asked to report whether it favours granting any more hoarding rights. The suggestion was adopted. ' „ 4 Cr. McGinley asked when the footpath in Gresson Street was going to be repaired. He had recently slipped down whilst walking on it, as it was in such a bad condition. The Mayor: Was that late at night? The Engineer reported that as soon as the weather permitted, he intended to have the section mentioned reasphalted. ‘ UNEMPLOYMENT. Cr. Kent asked if a letter had been sent to the Loans Board, as agreed, asking the Board to expedite its sanction to the loan, as the position in Greymouth was acute. The Mayor stated that a night wire

had been sent after last meeting. He thought another should be sent asking the Board to push the matter on without delay. There were daily applications for assistance, and the assistance given by the Borough should come from the proposed loan, and not out of the general revenue. Cr. O’Brien thought the authority for the loan should be got without delay. The position in Greymouth was never so acute during the last twenty years. A number of really good men were out of work —it was simply not to be had.

Cr. McGinley: Those employed will be residents of Greymouth, I take it?

Cr. O’Brien agreed that residents were to be relieved first. He wanted to see the loan put through, so that the Council could get to work. The position was getting really desperate. There were 200- men out of work in Greymouth, many of whom were Borough ratepayers. The Mayor said knew there were many cases of distress in the town, and he got many calls, which indicated the position. To give orders for food or beds would not relieve the position. The rpen must be given work, so that they could provide bread for their wives and families. He would do his best to get the matter of the loan expedited by the Loans Board.

THE RATES.

The Mayor pointed out that, on Saturday week, the meeting would be held to confirm the striking of the rate for the coming year. He knew an increase was unpopular with ratepayers. The Town Clerk had been getting out figures for the meeting, and he hoped ratepayers would attend, hear them, and ask questions regarding them. He desired to afford any ratepayer with a grievance, the opportunity for stating it, though he thought when the position was explained there would be a much better understanding among the ratepayers. Cr. O’Brien said he accepted ’ his share of the responsibility for raising the rates. It was made just sufficient to cover Borough expenditure on strictly economical lines, and was for the most urgent works. The gasworks revenue had, as was fully anticipated, fallen off, owing to its competition with electricity, and the shortage of revenue had to be made up in the only possible 'vVay, through the rate. Cr. Kent thought the attention of ratepayers should be drawn to the fact that a lot of past expenditure would not be recurring.

The Mayor saicl he desired the ratepayers to have every opportunity for asking questions, and stating their feelings regarding the rates, at the meeting on Saturday week. A “DOSS HOUSE.” Cr. Williams asked if it were possible for the Borough to erect something in the shape of a “doss house” on the section near the Gas Works, (gas-works yard). He said his love for his fellow-men made the idea of men sleeping out in tanks repugnant, and he thought some relief might be afforded by providing a place where men “at a loose end,” could get a night’s sleep. There was no philanthropic society in the town which could attend to such a matter, and it therefore devolved on the “City Fathers.”

The Mayor said it was unfortunate that so many were drifting about the district looking for work. The Blackball men were up against it, and at the State Mines men were losing shifts owing to prevailing conditions. Already the consumption of winter coal was. falling, and the shortening of men at the mines was the direct result. The Chamber of Commerce had the matter before it, but could do very little. Where shortage of railway trucks had assisted to make the position at the mines “hard to bear,” the Traffic Manager had assured Mr J. McLean (Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce) and himself, that he would do his best to see that ample trucks were provided for coal freight. He thought Cr. Williams had been right in bringing the matter up. Cr. Williams moved and Cr. Baty seconded, that the Works Committee, Engineer, and Gas Manager, go into the njatter of the suggested “doss” house” in the Gasworks yards, and report to the Finance Committee. — Carried. Cr. Baty said he would like to see something done to check the aimless roaming about which was going on among a certain section of those out of work. They might arrange to take up a street collection, or get up a concert to raise a few pounds for the object. Cr. O’Brien said he considered the Borough Council’s duty was to stop unemployment, not to put up a shelter for those who were travelling about looking for work. He thought the Labour Bureau would publish a classified list of out-of-workers, so that anyone requiring a man to do any special work, could get such a one from the Bureau list. ENGINEER’S REPORT

Streets —Footpaths in Palmerston, Buccleugh, Franklin and Ida Streets have been cleaned up and asphalt patching of footpaths in Shakespeare Street outwards for about three quarters of a mile has received a coat of fine shingle and the eastern end of the road inside the Town Boundary, is being gravelled by means of tractor and trailers. The widening of Smith Street in the vicinity of the railway overbridge has been carried out and gravelling will be gone on with as soon as possible. The tie rods on Cobden Bridge have been scraped and painted. “Bus Stop” signs are being erected at the required points. Drainage—A manhole in Perotti Lane has. been enlarged in order to bring the cover outside the foundation of a building in course of erection, The sower coming into the manhole is being attended to as required. The sewer running northwards from Buccleugh Street between High and Shakespeare Streets having become blocked at its upper end has been opened and is being relaid. Blockages have hitherto been frequent in this part. A sewer connection in Tainui Street near Gerald Street became blocked and on opening up, the fault was found to be due to settlement of the roadway. Waterworks —During the fortnight ended the 19th instant, the reservoir was kept full by means of an average daily pump run of nine and threequarter hours. Building Permits issued 6/8/28 to 18/8/28, inclusive: F. Sparks, shop front, Mawhera Quay; alter dwelling, Cowper Street. J. Perrin, add to dwelling, Turumaha Street; A. Goodall, garage, Blake Street; J. A. Hart, alter dwelling, Tainui Street; W. Hamilton, alter, verandah, Mackay Street. The report was adopted. FINANCE REPORT The Chairman of the Finance Committee reported as follows: —A meet-

ing of the Finance Committee was held on Friday, August 17, present: Crs. Kent, Perotti, McGinley, Baty, Kitchingham, O’Brien and Williams. Pending the arrival of the Mayor, the De-puty-Mayor Cr. O’Brien took the chair. The Committee submits the following recommendations for approval: — (1) That accounts amounting to £B3B/13/ 9, be passed for payment and accounts amounting to £2,425/13/8 paid since last meeting be approved. (2) That the resolution of the Council that all accounts must be rendered monthly be adhered to and the Town Clerk circularise offending parties to this effect. (3) The Gas Manager, Mr. Kennedy, submitted his report re Gas Works matters generally and it is recommended that the report be received and adopted. (4) That all work undertaken by the Borough for private individuals be not carried out until after the deposit has been made towards the cost of same. (5) That the balance deducted from Mr. P. Sinclair’s (head stableman) pay while off duty through illness, be paid to him. (6) That the salary of the head stableman, Mr. F. Sinclair, be increased by 10/- per week, commencing on Friday, August 17. (7) That re the Medical Officer of Health’s letter re the discharge of crude sewage into Sawyer’s Creek, Greymouth, he be informed that the connections are only temporary pending the drainage scheme being carried out; also that the permit referred to had been granted by the Council. (8) That the Medical Officer of Health be advised that there is no accommodation in the Town Hall building to provide an office for the Department’s Health Inspector. (9) That Councillors Baty, McGinley and the Town Clerk be appointed, with power to act, to go into the matter of collecting outstanding accounts and writing off those which are statute barred.

Engineer’s Report—Arising out of matters contained in this report it is recommended as follows: —

(2) Piping of open drains on the east side of High Street, south of Marlborough Street and from line of the High Street culvert southwards. Estimated cost £163. That this matter be left over for three months and be reviewed at the end of that period. (2) Bank in front of Mr. R. B. Smith’s property, Section 14 K. Kilgour Road. Estimated cost £4.—That this work be carried out as outlined by the Borough Engineer. (3) Footpath at Empire Hotel corner. —That the hollows be filled in and the footpath given a coating of tar and sand. (4) Return driveway from the southern end of the Cemetery. Estimated cost S/LZIH-. — That this work be carried out. (5) Repairs to Town Hall, Roofing, guttering etc., tenders be called for the proposal submitted and that the lowest •tender be accepted.—The report was adopted.